Mathilakam documents throw light on Padmanabha Swamy Temple treasure

^{Courtesy Manorama Online (http://english.manoramaonline.com)}

Thiruvanathapuram: There was nothing really secretive about the treasure trove unearthed from the secret cellars of Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple. Most of the valuables, discovered during the ongoing stocktaking find mention in the ancient Mathilakam documents. However, the present value of the antique treasure is what surpasses all imagination.

The Mathilakam documents which pertains to the history of Travancore and Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple,  throw light to the precious possessions of Sree Padmanabha, discovered from the long-locked chambers. In the documents, codified by literary great Ulloor, even the weight of the gold ornaments like the 'sarappoli' chains that have been offered to Sree Padmanabha in gold platters have been registered.
More than 2000 such 'sarappoli' chains and gold platters have already been
obtained from the temple coffers. Written in ancient Malayalam script, the Mathilakam document gives a detailed account of the total number, nature and name of each ornament under Lord Padmanabha's possession.
As mentioned in the document, the ongoing inventory has already recorded the findings of ornaments like 'ponnali pattathali' that is inlaid with precious stones like coral, sapphire and emerald.
Mathilakam document also lists the idols, figurines, gold and silver utensils that have been ceremoniously offered to Lord Padmanabha by the erstwhile
kings of Travancore and Venad. It even goes into details like the people who
accompanied Eravi Eravi Varma on his way to offer twelve silver pots to Sree
Padmanabha.
Fourteen kilograms of gold coins that have been discovered from the temple cellars dates back to 1877 when the then Travancore ruler Ayilyam Thirunal ordered to mint such coins. The coins bear the name of the state and year, both in Malayalam and English. An inscription, 'R.V.' , also have been made in English on these coins.
The offerings laid before their presiding deity Sree Padmanabha by the erstwhile rulers thus constitute the lion's share of the treasure, unveiled by the ongoing inventory.